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Kennametal Asks: Do You Have a Need for Speed?
LATROBE, Pa., Oct. 11 -- Kennametal Inc. (NYSE: KMT), a leading tooling-solutions supplier in North America, has built its reputation by providing high-performance products and services to customers for 64 years.
As the ultimate speed machine in the tooling industry, Kennametal is giving away the ultimate hot rod. A custom-built 1934 Ford Coupe will be awarded Oct. 16 to one of six "Need for Speed in Milling" contest finalists selected from across North America. The six finalists are:
-- George Foster of Goulds Pumps, Seneca Falls, N.Y. -- Bruce Herring of Metaldyne, Greenville, N.C. -- Ira (Beau) Stephens of Smith & Nephew, Memphis, Tenn. -- Rich Veit of Northrop Grumman, Sunnyvale, Calif. -- Scott Mick of New Venture Gear, Muncie, Ind. -- Gord Brock of Roctel Linamar, Guelph, Ont., Canada
The drawing will be held at Kennametal's world headquarters in Latrobe, Pa.
"Our Speed Machine symbolizes the need for speed in milling solutions and Kennametal's ability to deliver high-performance customer service and tooling solutions to our customers," said Markos I. Tambakeras, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Our customers recognize the quality and value of Kennametal products; that's why we consistently rank at the top of customer-satisfaction surveys in North America. Awarding this collector's- edition automobile is a way to say thanks to our customers -- and to remind them that Kennametal will continue to be their high-performance tooling- solutions supplier."
The chopped-top Kennametal yellow coupe drew attention to the company's full array of high-performance milling solutions, showcased in Kennametal's International Manufacturing Technology Show ("IMTS") booth, resulting in a 200 percent increase in attendance versus 2000. Visitors to the Kennametal booth were eligible to register for the contest. Booth visits are a significant economic barometer because they generate sales leads with customers.
Tambakeras will personally participate in the Oct. 16 finale, presenting six keys to contestants. Each contestant will select a key. The contestant who picks the right key will drive home the winner. Consolation prizes also will be awarded.
The Speed Machine was custom-built for Kennametal by Georgia Hot Rods of Hoschton, Ga. It is Kennametal yellow, has suicide doors and features a 350-cubic-inch, 300-hp Chevy engine. The 2,100-pound two-seater is 150 inches long, 64 inches wide and sports mag wheels, black-on-yellow upholstery, tilt wheel, air-conditioning, AM/FM-CD player and keyless entry.
Kennametal Inc. aspires to be the premier tooling solutions supplier in the world with operational excellence throughout the value chain and best-in- class manufacturing and technology. Kennametal strives to deliver superior shareowner value through top-tier financial performance. The company provides customers a broad range of technologically advanced tools, tooling systems and engineering services aimed at improving customers' manufacturing competitiveness. With approximately 14,500 employees worldwide, the company's fiscal 2002 annual sales were approximately $1.6 billion, with a third coming from sales outside the United States. Kennametal is a five-time winner of the GM "Supplier of the Year" award and is represented in more than 60 countries. Kennametal operations in Europe are headquartered in Furth, Germany. Kennametal Asia Pacific operations are headquartered in Singapore. For more information, visit the company's web site at www.kennametal.com.
Source: Kennametal Inc.